Can Thermal Imaging Spot Cancer

Early detection is crucial to fighting many forms of cancer, so it’s important to use whatever technology we can to get the earliest possible indication. Recent news reports on thermal imaging have made some people optimistic about a safer alternative to more imposing diagnostics like mammograms. Officials warn, however, that the technology might not be the modern miracle it seems. Let's look closer and see what the science says.

What Is Thermal Imaging?

Thermal imaging uses a special camera that detects infrared heat patterns. Cancer and some other conditions can affect areas of heat output, which thermal imaging may be able to detect.

Proponents believe it could be a safer alternative to mammography because it doesn’t use radiation and there’s no notable prep or physical contact. Some researchers believe thermal imaging may even be more reliable, possibly capable of detecting precancerous lesions 8 to 10 years earlier than a mammogram. Not everybody agrees, however.

The FDA’s Warning

The FDA recently released a warning for consumers not to forego regular mammogram screening, stating that no other imaging technique works better for detecting breast cancer. The agency admonishes claims made by manufacturers and doctors on the extent of thermal imaging’s capabilities, even publicly calling out one company for marketing thermal imaging as certified cancer diagnostic equipment.

The current screening guidelines recommend that women between 45 and 54 receive yearly mammograms, scaling down to once every two years after 55. Women with certain family histories or dense tissue may need additional MRI or ultrasound imaging.

A Happy Medium?

The FDA and other agencies might be hesitant about recommending thermal imaging in place of mammograms, but there could still be a place for it in medicine. Some research points to it being a beneficial supplement to current breast screening regimens, and it is FDA-approved for that limited use. Mammograms have their limitations too, with their high false-positive rates, radiation exposure levels and crushing discomfort. Maybe a better approach lies in finding a balance between both screening practices?

Thermography could be even more useful in detecting skin cancer. One study sponsored by the University of New Mexico found it could detect cancerous skin lesions with 99% accuracy, making it much more reliable than a physical exam. Thermal imaging may also assist in the detection of oral cancers.

Thermal imaging might not be the perfect weapon against all forms of cancer, but it could be a useful tool to add to the arsenal in some cases. Ask a doctor if it might be an option for you or those you love because it seems as though it really depends on what risks are most present for each individual.

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